Examining the Association between Truancy and Adolescent Vaping Activity

Previous research suggests truancy is related with increased risks for substance use and combustible nicotine and marijuana use. However, limited research has investigated the link between truancy and vaping nicotine and marijuana. Further, much past research on the relationship between truancy and nicotine and marijuana use employed data collected before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and recent shifts in patterns of adolescent truancy. This study utilized data from the 2024 Florida Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) to examine the link between truancy and nicotine and marijuana vaping. Findings indicate that as the number of school days skipped increases, the likelihood of vaping and combustible use of nicotine and marijuana in the past 30 days increases. Policy implications are discussed.